Duane Hicks
Canada’s 149th birthday will be celebrated with a slew of activities here tomorrow.
“It’s coming along,” said Cynthia Donald, chair of the “Fun in the Sun” committee—a team of volunteers that has been working hard up to the last minute to make the day special.
“It looks like it’s going to be a good day,” she added, noting the forecast is promising.
“We’re excited,” enthused Donald. “We’re all taking notes for next year—what we want to do, what we want to see.”
After last weekend’s heavy rainfall, organizers have spent a good deal of time figuring out where to stage what tomorrow.
While the public should be aware that some low-lying areas at the Point will be wet, Donald noted the park is drying up more each day.
If it happens to rain tomorrow, the event might be moved to the Memorial Sports Centre.
For the most up-to-date information, visit “Fun in the Sun Committee” on Facebook, listen to the radio, or look for messages written on sandwich boards at the entrance to the Point and elsewhere in town.
Donald, meanwhile, offered a few tips for those planning to attend the Canada Day festivities.
“Wear your red and white,” she urged. “Bring your flags.”
She also advised people to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets.
“And bring your bug spray for later,” she chuckled.
The day’s activities include:
•7-9:30 a.m.—pancake breakfast at the Legion (cost is $7 adults and $5 for kids five and under);
•8 a.m.—a 4-on-4 volleyball tourney;
•9:30-10:15 a.m.—a kids’ fun run starting at the Point Park camp office (divisions for ages three and under, four-seven, and eight-10);
•11 a.m.—parade starts at the Sorting Gap Marina and ends at the Legion (parade lineup starts at 10 a.m.);
•noon—sand sculpture contest registration opens at Canada Beach (the beach closest to the Ranier bridge), with judging to take place from 5-6 p.m.;
•noon—antique car show starts at the tent area;
•1 p.m.—family fun races and games such as lawn Twister, Jenga, bocce ball, and mini-putt;
•1 p.m.—bouncy castles (small charge) and face-panting (free-will donation);
•1 p.m.—3-on-3 basketball tourney at La Place Rendez-Vous; and
•1 p.m.—paddleboat, canoe, paddleboard, and children’s kayak rentals ($5 per half hour) at Ontario Beach (the one closest to the Rendez-Vous).
There also will be food vendors and artisan tents.
A big draw should be the entertainment trailer, where 10 different acts are scheduled to take the stage tomorrow.
Donald said the live acts are an exciting addition to the festivities.
“I think it will be nice,” she remarked.
“With the food vendors down there and a view of the lake, what more can you ask for?”
The acts include the Highland dancers (1-1:30 p.m.), Chirpy Chicks (1:30-2 p.m.), children’s entertainer Ron Cameron (2-2:30 p.m.), dance group and Piper Lidkea (2:30-3 p.m.), Katelyn and Joelle Bruyere (3-3:30 p.m.), and Joe Kneisz (3:30-4 p.m.).
They’ll be followed by bands Somewhere in Denmark (4-4:30 p.m.), Night Shift (4:30-5:15 p.m.), Distant Legacy (5:15-6 p.m.), and the Teflons (from 6 p.m. until the fireworks).
The fireworks will start to light up the night sky around 10:15 p.m.
